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Tuesday, May 24, 2016

For the Feast of Corpus Christi

May you have a blessed Feast of Corpus Christi! On this most holy feast may we remember to give of our time, love, and adoration to our Blessed Lord, Who remains within the tabernacle, waiting for us to come to Him in silent conversation and devout adoration. May we also offer our Lord our hearts, minds, and very beings when we have the great privilege of receiving Him in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. On this great feast of Holy Mother Church, may we always remember the great gift of this most sacred Sacrament, our Lord Himself.

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"When you have received Him, stir up your heart to do Him homage; speak to Him about your spiritual life, gazing upon Him in your soul where He is present for your happiness; welcome Him as warmly as possible, and behave outwardly in such a way that your actions may give proof to all of His Presence."

--- St. Francis de Sales

The following prayer, the Litany of the Most Blessed Sacrament, was penned by St. Peter Julian Eymard, and its recitation stands as a beautiful way to honor our Lord on the feast of Corpus Christi.

Litany of the Most Blessed Sacrament

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Jesus, Eternal High Priest of the Eucharistic Sacrifice, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Divine Victim on the Altar for our salvation, have mercy on us.
Jesus, hidden under the appearance of bread, have mercy on us.
Jesus, dwelling in the tabernacles of the world, have mercy on us.
Jesus, really, truly and substantially present in the Blessed Sacrament, have mercy on us.
Jesus, abiding in Your fullness, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Bread of Life, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Bread of Angels, have mercy on us.
Jesus, with us always until the end of the world, have mercy on us.

Sacred Host, summit and source of all worship and Christian life, have mercy on us.
Sacred Host, sign and cause of the unity of the Church, have mercy on us.
Sacred Host, adored by countless angels, have mercy on us.
Sacred Host, spiritual food, have mercy on us.
Sacred Host, Sacrament of love, have mercy on us.
Sacred Host, bond of charity, have mercy on us.
Sacred Host, greatest aid to holiness, have mercy on us.
Sacred Host, gift and glory of the priesthood, have mercy on us.
Sacred Host, in which we partake of Christ, have mercy on us.
Sacred Host, in which the soul is filled with grace, have mercy on us.
Sacred Host, in which we are given a pledge of future glory, have mercy on us.

Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.

For those who do not believe in Your Eucharistic presence, have mercy, O Lord.
For those who are indifferent to the Sacrament of Your love, have mercy on us.
For those who have offended You in the Holy Sacrament of the Altar, have mercy on us.

That we may show fitting reverence when entering Your holy temple, we beseech You, hear us.
That we may make suitable preparation before approaching the Altar, we beseech You, hear us.
That we may receive You frequently in Holy Communion with real devotion and true humility, we beseech You, hear us.
That we may never neglect to thank You for so wonderful a blessing, we beseech You, hear us.
That we may cherish time spent in silent prayer before You, we beseech You, hear us.
That we may grow in knowledge of this Sacrament of sacraments, we beseech You, hear us.
That all priests may have a profound love of the Holy Eucharist, we beseech You, hear us.
That they may celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in accordance with its sublime dignity, we beseech You, hear us.
That we may be comforted and sanctified with Holy Viaticum at the hour of our death, we beseech You, hear us.
That we may see You one day face to face in Heaven, we beseech You, hear us.

Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Lord.

O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine.

Let us pray.
Most merciful Father, You continue to draw us to Yourself through the Eucharistic Mystery. Grant us fervent faith in this Sacrament of love, in which Christ the Lord Himself is contained, offered and received. We make this prayer through the same Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

--St. Peter Julian Eymard

"How I loved the feasts!.... I especially loved the processions in honor of the Blessed Sacrament. What a joy it was for me to throw flowers beneath the feet of God!... I was never so happy as when I saw my roses touch the sacred Monstrance..."